Executive Summary
- A security alert was declared in Derry’s Glenabbey Close and Beraghvale area following a report of two suspected devices.
- Police evacuated nearly two dozen homes in the early hours of Thursday morning as a precautionary measure.
- PSNI Chief Inspector Graeme Craig confirmed the operation, prioritizing community safety while acknowledging the disruption to residents.
- A local community center has been established as a respite location for those displaced by the evacuation.
Police in Derry initiated a public safety operation early Thursday, evacuating close to two dozen homes following a report of two suspected devices in the Glenabbey Close and Beraghvale area. The report was received shortly after 12:30 a.m., prompting an immediate response and the establishment of security cordons.
The evacuations occurred during the early morning hours, causing significant disruption to families in the affected neighborhood. In a statement, PSNI Chief Inspector Graeme Craig acknowledged the impact on the community. “We understand the level of disruption this has caused to residents – including families and children – who have had to leave their homes during the early hours, and how unsettling this will have been,” he stated.
Chief Inspector Craig assured the public that authorities are working to resolve the incident as quickly as possible, emphasizing that community safety is the top priority. He also noted the incident’s impact on local retailers.
To accommodate the displaced residents, the Galliagh Community Centre has been opened as a temporary respite center. While some cordons have been reduced, access to Glenabbey Close remains restricted as the investigation continues. Authorities have stated they will provide updates as the situation develops.